Are you looking for the cheapest SIMs out there and confused about the options available? Well then, your search ends here. Our experts have found the two best options and compared them to help you make the better choice. Wondering about what options are we talking about? They are none other than Smarty and Lebara.
The two leading and most affordable options in the market, these network operators, required no special introduction. But while both come with a lower price tag, they still have certain shortcomings you should be aware of before making a choice. Therefore, we have compared Lebara Vs Smarty to make your decision more straightforward and hassle-free.
Here’s a quick introduction to both of them, so you can understand them better before outlining the differences.
Lebara
A leading MVNO, Lebara is widely known for its unbeatable coverage and uninterrupted data speeds, especially in big towns and cities. Their one-month deals don’t require you to pass credit checks, so you can try their services and then opt for long-term contracts later on.
Earlier, this network was famous for offering a cheap international call service, but now it has moved to the domestic market as a low-cost Sim-only provider. It uses Vodafone’s infrastructure to cover its customers; hence, you can expect good coverage and speed.
Pros
- Vodafone’s reliable 4G and 5G network
- Flexible and Cheap plans
- All plans include international calling to 42 countries, making it the top choice for those who frequently call abroad
- No long-term contracts
- All 30-day plans don’t require credit checks.
Cons
- Network might become patchy and sluggish in small towns and overcrowded places.
- Lacks added perks like loyalty programs or exclusive discounts.
Smarty
Yet another newest entry in the mobile network industry, Smarty also appeals to customers with its affordable pricing and flexible mobile plans. But it stands out from the crowd with its no speed caps and free tethering services in the UK.
Moreover, all plans include a WiFi calling facility to supercharge your signal. Smarty’s main selling point is its data discount deals in which you are refunded for data you haven’t used over 1GB at the cost of 1p per MB.
Pros
- WiFi calling
- All plans include unlimited UK calls and texts.
- No credit check
- Unlimited hotspot usage at no extra cost.
- Refunds for unused data over 1GB, at 1p per MB
- Flexible and no-contract plans
- lexible, month-to-month plans without long-term commitments.
- Fast 5G, 4G, and 3G data
- No speed caps
- EU roaming available
Cons
- Patchy rural coverage
Smarty and Lebara have built their strong reputation in the market in a short time. They believe in offering transparent prices, no-nonsense, and cheap plans. But since their offerings and approach are nearly the same, choosing between them can be a real pain for customers.
Therefore, we have drawn a detailed Lebara Vs Smarty comparison guide to outline what else they bring to the table so that you can pick the right option. Scroll the page to the end, compare their features, and decide accordingly.
Compare Lebara and Smarty phone plans’ price
The first comparison ground between Lebara and Smarty is their plans and pricing. While both networks are widely acclaimed for offering affordable and flexible deals, there are still some differences between the price you should consider before making a choice.
Let’s introduce their plans individually so you can understand them better.
Lebara
This operator offers seven simple sim-only plans, from 5GB to Unlimited. The cheapest of them includes 1000 UK minutes and texts and is available at £5 per month. It won’t bind you to any contract and offers 100 international minutes to 50+ countries.
30-Day Plans
| Data | UK minutes and texts | International minutes | Plan | Learn more |
| 5GB | 1000 | 100 | £5 | View Plan> |
| 25GB | Unlimited | 100 | £10 | View Plan> |
| 40GB | Unlimited | 500 | £15 | View Plan> |
| 50GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | £20 | View Plan> |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 100 | £25 | View Plan> |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £30 | View Plan> |
12-Month Plan
| Data | UK minutes and texts | International minutes | Plan | Learn more |
| 5GB | 1000 | 100 | £4.5 | View Plan> |
| 25GB | Unlimited | 100 | £9 | View Plan> |
| 40GB | Unlimited | 500 | £13.50 | View Plan> |
| 50GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | £18 | View Plan> |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 100 | £22.50 | View Plan> |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £27 | View Plan> |
These international minutes are the main selling point of Lebara, making it ideal for migrant workers and others who frequently make international calls. Lebara also offers two unlimited data plans, one with 100 international minutes and the other with unlimited international minutes. You can choose any of them based on your requirement and budget.
Smarty
Like Lebara, Smarty is also famous for offering affordable plans to cater to budget-conscious users, but their plans have something extra to offer. It offers six sim-only deals, starting from 5GB to Unlimited.
| Price | Data | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| £6 | 5GB | View More |
| £7 | 8GB | View More |
| £8 | 16GB | View More |
| £10 | 40GB | View More |
| £12 | 100GB | View More |
| £15 | 150GB | View More |
| £17 | 200GB | View More |
| £20 | Unlimited | View More |
First, their basic and cheapest plan also includes unlimited calls and texts, unlike Lebara whose standard comes with 1000 UK minutes and texts. Also, its unlimited data plan is available at just £20 and offers unlimited data allowance with no speed restrictions. Also, you don’t have to bind yourself into a contract to enjoy these perks.
It recently introduced data-only plans with no calls or texts. These are perfect for your tablet or mobile broadband; you only have to pay for data. All Smarty Plans are 5G-ready, thus allowing you to stream and browse with more reliability at no extra charges.
Verdict: All in all, Lebara and Smarty are both ideal for budget-savvy customers and win the round from two different perspectives. While Lebara’s plans are a bit pricier than Smarty’s, they include international minutes, which are great for migrants. Smarty, on the other hand, offers cheaper deals than Lebara, making it suitable for those who want to keep their phone bills down.
Lebara vs Smarty coverage
No matter how better and cheap the plans are, there’s no point in opting for them if they don’t help you connect with your near and dear ones. Before you make up your mind about any one of them, make sure to know about their network coverage and speed and decide accordingly.
Lebara and Smarty are MVNOs; hence, their network purely depends on the operator whose infrastructure they are using. Lebara covers its customers with Vodafone’s services, while Smarty uses Three’s network. And we all know whose is best among Vodafone and Three in terms of offering good signal strength and coverage.
Lebara customers always post positive reviews about the network reception, and the whole credit goes to Vodafone’s excellent coverage and network. However, Smarty is still improvising itself and might give you a patchy service in specific locations.
Verdict: If we compare Lebara Vs Smarty in terms of network, then Lebara clearly wins the round. First, it uses Vodafone’s extensive 4G and 5G networks to cover its customer base. Secondly, it also covers the rural areas and small towns better than Smarty, thus ensuring you’ll receive signals, irrespective of the location.
However, before you get fascinated, remember that since both Lebara and Smarty are MVNOs, they are subject to data deprioritization during busy hours.
Lebara vs Smarty International Calls
Do your friends or relatives live abroad? Well then, you should switch to the network operator that either includes an international calling facility on its plans or offers affordable add-ons.
When comparing Lebara and Smarty, we find that Lebara has always been the first choice of migrant workers and is famous for offering an international calling facility from its early beginning.
All Lebara plans come with 100 international minutes to 50+ countries, so you can easily connect with people living abroad without spending extra pounds. If you make international calls often, opt for Lebara’s Unlimited plan, which offers unlimited international minutes. So, if you are more into making international calls, Lebara should be the best bet.
On the other hand, Smarty doesn’t include any free international calling feature in its plans, be it a basic or an unlimited one. It just allows you to connect overseas at standard rates, with no discount or add-on service.
Verdict: Lebara comfortably wins the round, as it includes international minutes on all its plans to facilitate users. Hence, if international calling is your priority, then choose Lebara without thinking twice and make the most out of its international minutes.
Lebara vs Smarty International roaming
The next important aspect you should not overlook when comparing Lebara Vs Smarty is international roaming. Both network operators offer EU roaming facilities, so you can travel anywhere in the European Union without worrying about network and roaming charges.
Lebara:
Enjoy Roam Like Home in the EU!: Use your data (up to 30GB), minutes, and texts just like you would at home, at no extra cost. This applies to both local calls and calls to the UK.
Calling the EU: Use your international minutes to call select EU countries.
Calling outside the EU: You’ll need PAYG credit, and standard roaming rates will apply.
Smarty
Traveling in the EU
Enjoy Home-Style Calling and Texting: If your SMARTY plan includes calls and texts, they’re unlimited and work just like you’re at home, with no extra fees.
Fair Use Limit: You can use up to 12GB of data each month out of your monthly allowance.
No Hidden Fees: There are no extra costs or hidden charges when traveling within the EU.
Traveling Outside the EU
Pay-As-You-Go
When traveling outside the EU, pay only for what you use with Out of Plan add-ons. Any unused “Out of Plan” add-on funds can be carried over to the next month.
Verdict: This round is a tie between Lebara and Smarty, as both offer EU roaming, and you have to pay certain charges for traveling outside European destinations.
Lebara vs Smarty: Which should you get?
That’s all about Lebara Vs Smarty. Choosing between two identical network operators might be gruesome for customers, therefore, we have drawn a neck-to-neck comparison between them, so you can make an appropriate choice.
Verdict:
- If international calling is important, Lebara is the better choice, offering inclusive international minutes with all plans.
- If you’re looking for cheaper unlimited data and solid domestic performance in urban areas, Smarty wins with its unbeatable prices and fast 5G speeds.
Choose Lebara for broader coverage and international calling, or Smarty for more affordable, flexible domestic data options.
Article Updates
- Sep 30, 2024: Update both plans and international roaming rates.